Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host “Coffee with the Chairman” on Friday, Jan. 24, 8 to 10 a.m., at Starbucks Coffee, 2450 Salem Road S.E., Conyers. Citizens are invited to share concerns and learn about important issues with the Chairman in a relaxed setting.

The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp in Atlanta is accepting student applications from rising high school juniors and seniors for its summer program. Applications with parts completed by student, parent, and teacher must be postmarked by March 27, 2020. The five-day academic day camp immerses students in the diverse field of public health. The application process is competitive and there is no charge for participants who are selected for the program. Topics vary year to year, but may include: public health interventions, global health, infectious disease, chronic disease, injury prevention, data analysis, surveys, school wellness programs, violence prevention, environmental health,…

By Clarence Cuthpert Rockdale Probate Judge Over the past 12 months the Rockdale County Probate Court (“RCPC”) has continued its efforts to improve efficiency and proficiency in providing services to our community. RCPC’s revenue has continued to increase as a result of making the community aware of the services available through this Court. Purchasing birth and death certificates locally for individuals who were either born or deceased throughout the State of Georgia, which many of our citizens were not aware could be done prior to the RCPC raising awareness throughout the community, has been a major catalyst in increased…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two recent robberies they believe were committed by the same suspect(s) in less than two hours apart. The first robbery occurred on Dec. 22, at 11: 08 p.m., at Starship Enterprises adult novelty store, 1682 GA Highway 138 N.E. A female employee was shot twice in the leg during the incident, Deputy Lee Thomas, spokesperson for the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said. One of the suspects is described as a large, dark-skinned black male wearing a gray zip-style hooded sweatshirt, gray sweat pants, and red shoes. The second suspect is described as a shorter…

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest, will ring in the new year with two worship services on Dec. 31. During both the noon and 10 p.m. services, BET’s Sunday Best winner Le’Andria Johnson will lead praise and worship followed by a special message from Pastor Jamal Bryant, New Birth’s senior pastor “We are welcoming the entire community to come out and encounter God like never before,” said Bryant. “There is no better way to start a new year and mark an exciting new beginning in your life than joining us during our New Year’s Eve celebration. We don’t have…

A flurry of flyers bearing hate speech found in a DeKalb County neighborhood touched off an investigation by DeKalb County Police just before the holidays. The anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim flyers were found on vehicles and homes in the Toco Hills Community which has a large Jewish population. DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond released this statement: “DeKalb County strongly rejects all acts of religious intolerance and bigotry that threaten the safety of our 750,000 residents.” DeKalb County police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent said the department’s homeland security unit is investigating the flyers. The Anti-Defamation League is also looking into the incident.…

The suspected serial tire slasher who is allegedly responsible for nearly 80 property damage crimes throughout metro Atlanta has been arrested. DeKalb County Police along with the assistance of the GBI and Roswell Police arrested Lee T. Culbreath, 34,  on Friday, Dec. 27. The slashing incidents occurred at DeKalb County Police headquarters, a nearby nursing home and many other locations.

An outpouring of prayers and support for Georgia Congressman John Lewis swept tv stations and social media after his office announced on Sunday that he is undergoing treatment for stage four pancreatic cancer. Among those supporters was Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and local U.S. Congressman Rep. Hank C. Johnson. “John Lewis is a national treasure and the embodiment of the spirit of Atlanta. He has spent his entire life on the front lines of the fight for equality, peace, and justice. As he now takes on his next fight, as a community of faith, we stand in agreement with…

Bennice Lovelace and her 8-year-old daughter received an outpouring of support from her church family, Voices of Faith Ministries, after the congregation learned that rats had destroyed all of her furniture at People Self Storage on Salem Road in Covington. Lovelace put her furniture in storage for six month after losing her home when her hours were cut at UPS, where she worked. When she got back on her feet, she found that her furniture was ruined while in storage. Three days before Christmas, congregation members at the church’s Stone Mountain and Conyers campuses showered Lovelace with an abundance…

DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson served more than 500 needy children this holiday season through his annual Tree of Love celebration, and honored community champions who are making a difference in the lives of others. Johnson’s program, in its 21styear, assists children in foster care, as well as low-income and single-parent households. Community residents and others buy Christmas presents for the families after picking their names from the Tree of Love. The gifts are presented to the families on the Saturday before Christmas during a holiday program that includes music, entertainment and greetings from elected officials. The program,…